JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — Johns Creek resident Chris Carneal there should be more to school fundraising than car washes and selling doughnuts.

He knew parents were tired of the constant stream of fundraising programs their children were coming home with and wanted to offer something different.

“I wanted to find a way to help these kids learn valuable life skills and raise money for their schools at the same time,” he said.

The idea began to take shape in 2001, while attending Samford University in Birmingham, Ala. Carneal and his wife Lyndie started Boosterthon, a fun run and fundraising program that focused on teaching character-building skills and the importance of fitness to elementary-aged students.

Since its inception, the company has worked with more than 700,000 youngsters across the country to raise funds while having fun.

The program tackles important life lessons about integrity and leadership with the added focus on fitness.

“Boosterthon,” Carneal said, “is designed to encourage fitness in kids and teach important life skills they can use now and in the future.”

The program, a pledge-per-lap fun run, is focused on a specific theme and lasts for nine days.

Carneal’s program includes team huddle days where students participate in group learning activities that help build character and teach lessons.

Findlay Oaks Elementary School just completed its Boosterthon fun run.

PTA member Charlotte Franklin said the PTA wanted to raise $60,000 for science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education – they think big in Johns Creek.

“We met our goal,” she said. “And the kids had a blast.”

Franklin said the kids enjoyed the fundraiser and parents were pleased.

“We wanted to do something that would be fun for the kids and raise money for the school,” she said.